Quick-release, link-type clamp for multiple shaft clusters



Aug. 20, 1963 J. E. BROGAN U 3,101,027

QUICK RELEASE, LINK-TYPE CLAMP FOR MULTIPLE SHAFT CLUSTERS Filed Aug 2, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

I AT TORNEYSH 1953 J. E. BROGAN 3, 01,027

QUICK RELEASE, LINK-TYPE CLAMP FOR MULTIPLE SHAFT CLUSTERS Filed Aug. 2, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 58 I INVENTOR. 66 68- 56 v By John E-5E|IEH"E1TL I 62 64 i w+ 444mm ATTORNEYS.-

United States Patent 3,101,027 (Emmi-RELEASE, LINK-TYPE CLAMP BOB MULTHPLE SHAFT CLUSTERS John E. Brogan, Lenox,Mass., assignor, by mesne assign ments, to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army Filed Aug. 2, 1961,5er. No. 123,966 '7 Claims. (CL 8912) This invention relates to multibarrel guns of the Gatling type and more particularly to clamps for binding the barrels into a rigid cluster.

In multib anel guns of the Gatling type, the barrrels are mounted at the breech ends to a rotating block so as to be spaced equally from one another in a circular .iarrangernent. During operation of thewgun, the cluster rotates at a righ rate around the central longitudinal axis thereof and, therefore, a clamp is needed forwardly of the breech ends. of the barrels to oppose the centrifugal forces and hold the barrels in rigid alignment.

The clamps previously used to rigidly hold the barrels against relative movement have been of one-piece construction with holes cut out the receive the barrels. In order to install these clamps, they have to be slipped over the muzzle ends of the barrels or when this is impossible, because of interference by gun or mounting structure, the barrels have to be removed before the clamp can be installed.

Itis, therefore, one object of this invention to provide a clamp which may be quickly installed and removed from the side center of the barrel cluster and which, when installed, binds the barrels into a rigid cluster by gripping both the inside and theoutside surfaces oiieach barrel.

It is another object of this invention to provide such .a clamp which is composed of links which are relcasably held together by self-locking pins and which are joined together to cooperate in tomning vises which close respectively around the barrels when the clamp is fully installed on the barrel cluster.

The specific nature of the invention as well as other objects and advantages thereof will clearly appear from a description of :a preferred embodiment as shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

\ FIG. 1 is a reduced side elevational viewof a Gatling type machine gun with the clamp installed thereon;

.FIG. ;2 is a side view of the clamp installed on the barrel cluster;

FiG. 3 is a view taken'along line 33 of FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a reduced perspective View of the clamp when laid out as a belt ready for installation; and i i FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the lock pin and lock spring assembly.

Shown in thefigures is a machine gun 12 having a barrel cluster 14 composed of six barrels 16 which are mounted V at the breech ends to a rotatable mount 18 so asto be equally spaced from one another in a circulararrangernent. Barrels 16 are rigidly held together between the breech and muzzle ends by a clamp 20 which prevents relative movement between the barrels when cluster 14 'shape in cross-section and which are fixedly held together by :a of rivets 28. For ease of manufacture each jaw 26 is formed from three similar plates 34} which are fixedly spaced longitudinally apart, a distance slightly greater than the thickness-thereof, by the rivets 28 and cooperating spacers.

ice

As noted berei-nbefo-re, each jaw 26 is S-shape in cross- .section and includes a tang 32 which is contactable with the outside surface of one of the barrels l6 and which is provided with an arcuate contour 34 where in contact with the associated barrel, to provide mating contact between the jaw and the barrel.

Provided on each tang .32 is a tab 37 which fits into a mating recess 39 in the assembled barrel 16. Each jaw 26 also includes a tail section 36 which is contactable with the outside surface of a barrel to which is adjacent to that contacted by tang 32' of the same jaw 26. Tail section 36 is arcuately as noted especially well in FIG. 4, and the other rivet extends longitudinally through the jaws between the tangs and tail sections 36 thereof.

'Provided through the free ends of the tangs 32 on each of the links 32 are longitudinally aligned bores 40 which slidingly receive one of the pins 24 and longirtudinally aligned apertures 42 extend through the jaws between the tangs 32 and tail sections 36 thereof 1501 also receiving one of the pins. Links 22 are pivotally joined together by interrneshing jaws .26 of one link with corresponding jaws of another one of the links so that bores do in one thereof are in registry with. apertures 4-2 the other and then a pin 24 is inserted through the aligned bores-and apertures. Thus, tail section 36 of one link 22 extends over arcuate contour 34 in tank 26 of.

a connected link to form a vise 44 which will encircle a barrel to grasped thereby more than 180 as is especially well shown in FIG. 3. When connecting links were linearly positioned, as noted in FIG. 4, tail sections 36 are swung outwardly from the associated tangs 32 to open the respective vises M for receiving a barrel l6 thereinto.

When the connected links 22 are circularly formed around five of the pins 24' to fonrn a belt 46' (FIG. 4). Belt 46 is then wrapped around cluster 14 with vise 44 at one end of the belt being placed around one of the barrels l6 and then the other vises are successively placed around the remaining barrels. As belt 46 is circularly formed around cluster M, the vises 44 are closed over the associated barrels .16 and, when the tenminal links 22 are intenmeshed and connected together by the sixth pin 24, cl-amp 2% is completed to rigidly hold the barrels togetlrer. As links 22 are joined together by connecting one end of a tang 32, to the opposite end of another tang, the connected tangsionni anotherl barn'er47, whenclamp .20 is complete, to prevent outward displacement of barrels 16. Tail sections as prevent inward displacementof barrels l6 andvises 44- hold the barrels. against circular displacement. The engagement of tabs 37 with recesses 39 prevent rotation of the barrels about their bore axis. Clamp 20 may be disassembled from cluster 14 by the removal of any one of the pins 24 and then pivoting links 22 to successively open vises 44 for disengagement from the associated barrels 16.

Pin 24, which provides for the quick installation and removal of clamp 2.4 and for positive locking, is fabricated from tubular stock and is of L configuration with a leg 43, receivable by bores dll-and apertures i-Land an elbow 50 j i extending from one end thereof. An elongated slot 54 is i provided in log 48 opposite to elbow 50 and an opening 56 is provided in the elbow in axial alignment with the inside bore of leg 48 for communication.therewith.

A look spring 58 of spring wire construction is insertable into the inside of leg 43 through opening 56 and such lock spring includes a shank fiti'one end of which is bent back to form a lock portion 62 which extends outwardly therefrom at an acute angle so as to project from pin 24 throughslot 54 when in registry therewith. Provided on the opposite end of shank 60 ha closed loop 64. When pin 24 is installed to join two links 22, the contact of elbow 50 with the outside of the connected jaws 26 and the contact of the projecting end of lock portion 62 with the inside thereof prevents longitudinal displacement of the pin. To unlock pin 24 for removal, shank 60 is pushed into leg 48 and thereby the contact of lock portion 62 with the end of slot 54 cams the end of the lock portion into the leg and so frees the pin for removal.

Lock spring '8 is held in lock position, wherein lock portion 62 projects from slot 5'4,'by a retainer 66 which is of L configuration and is provided at one end with a hook 68 disposed for engagement with loop 64. The opposite end of retainer 66 is provided with a hole 7% which receives a self-tapping screw 72. Screw '72, after being insertedthrough hole 70, is screwed into the end of foot 56 to fix retainer 66 to pin 24 and, therefore, as lockspring 58 is connected to the retainer through the engagement of loop 64 with book 68, lock portion 62 is prevented from longitudinal displacement and the pin is securely locked in installed position.

From the foregoing it is clearly apparent that clamp 20 is easily installed on cluster 14 from the side center and "that the barrels 16 are rigidly secured against relative displacement by the clamp after installation. It is also evident that clamp 20 may be used with any circular cluster of tubes, pipes or rods which are to be rigidly held against relative displacement.

Although a particular embodiment of the invention has been described in detail herein, it is evident that many vari-.

ations may be devised within the spirit and scope thereof and the following claims are intended to include such variations.

. 'Iclaim: I 1. A clamp for holding a plurality of tubes rigidly to- :gether in a circular cluster, the clamp includinga plurality of links equal to the number of the tubes, each of said links beingprovided with a jaw having a tang and a tail section, means for joining said links to form an articulate belt 'wrappable around the cluster and for joining the terminal ones of said links in said belt to complete the clamp, and a plurality of vises formed by the operational cooperation of links-equal to the number of the tubes, each of said links being "provided with a jaw including a tang and a tail section,'means for joining said links to form an articulate belt wrappable around the cluster aud tor joining the terminal ones of said links in said belt to complete the clamp, a plurality of vises formed by the operational cooperation of said tang on each of said jaws with said tail section of said jaw in an adjacent one of said links insaid belt, said vises being arrangedto open for respectively receiving the tubes when said belt is linearly disposed and to close around the respective ones of the tubes when said 'belt'is wrapped around'the cluster; and an outer barrier formed by'said ,7 =tangs to prevent outer displacementof the tubes when the r clamp is completed.-

- 3.- In a gun, a plurality of barrels mounted at the breech ,ends'to a rotary mount tojform a circular cluster, a'clamp mountable onjsaid barrels from the side center of said cluster for rigidly holding said barrels against relative 4, movement during rotation of said cluster, said clamp including a plurality of links equal to the number of said barrels, each of said links being provided with a jawhaving a tang and a tail section, means for joining said links to form an articulate belt wrappable around the cluster and for joining the terminal ones of said links in said belt to complete said clamp, and a plurality of vises formed by the operational cooperation of said tang on each of said jaws with said tail section of said jaw in an adjacent one of said links in'said belt, said vises being arrangedjto open for respectively receiving said barrels when said belt is linearly disposed and to close around the respective ones of said barrels when said belt is wrapped around said cluster to complete said clamp.

4. Ina gun, a plurality of barrels mounted at the breech ends to a rotary mount to form a circular cluster, a clamp mountable onsaid barrels from the side center of said cluster ,for rigidly holding said barrels against relative articulate belt wrappable'around said cluster and for joining the terminal ones of said links in said belt to complete said clamp, a plurality of vises formed by the operational, cooperation of said tangon each of said jaws with saidtail section of said jaw in an adjacent one of said links in said belt, said vises being arranged to open for respectively receiving said barrels when said belt is linearly arranged and I to close around the respective ones of said barrels when said belt is wrapped around said cluster, and an outer'barrier formed by said joined tangs to prevent outer displacement of said barrels when said clamp is completed around said cluster.

5. The combination as defined in claim 4 wherein said tang oneach'of said jaws isprovided with an arcuate contour formed to make mating contact with the outer surface of one of said barrels, and said tail section on the same one of said jaws is provided with an arcuate contour 1 formed so that when said beltais wrapped around said cluster said tail section makes mating contact with the inside surface of one of said barrels adjacent to said one thereof contacted by said tang, and wherein said arcuate surfaces on saidtangs and said tail sections cooperate to.

encircle respective'ones of said barrels more than When'said'clamp is completed around said cluster.

6. The combination as defined in clairn'4where'in said joining means include a tubular pin of L configuration and provided with an elbow on one end thereof, a lock spring slidingly insertable into said pin through an op'eningin said elbow, said lock spring including a shank and a locking portion bent backwards from one end of said shank to form an acute angle therewith, an elongatedslot injsaid 7 pin to permit the outward projection of said locking portion from said pin when in registry with said slot and to provide for camming retraction of said locking portion 1 into said pinwhen said shank is pushed longitudinally thereinto by the opposite end extending from said opening in said elbow, anda retainer for linking said lock spring to said pin to hold said lock spring against longitudinal displace'ment thereinto.

receivable by a mating recess in the associated one of said References Citedin the file of this patent VUNITED PATENTS TOTHER REFERENCES nology;'Sept.Oct., 1956, pages 361464. I 1

7. The combination as defined in claim twherein said vtang on each of said jaws is provided with an integral tab 

1. A CLAMP FOR HOLDING A PLURALITY OF TUBES RIGIDLY TOGETHER IN A CIRCULAR CLUSTER, THE CLAMP INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF LINKS EQUAL TO THE NUMBER OF THE TUBES, EACH OF SAID LINKS BEING PROVIDED WITH A JAW HAVING A TANG AND A TAIL SECTION, MEANS FOR JOINING SAID LINKS TO FORM AN ARTICULATE BELT WRAPPABLE AROUND THE CLUSTER AND FOR JOINING THE TERMINAL ONES OF SAID LINKS IN SAID BELT TO COMPLETE THE CLAMP, AND A PLURALITY OF VISES FORMED BY THE OPERATIONAL COOPERATION OF SAID TANG ON EACH OF SAID JAWS WITH SAID TAIL SECTION OF SAID JAW IN AN ADJACENT ONE OF SAID LINKS IN SAID BELT, SAID VISES BEING ARRANGED TO OPEN FOR RESPECTIVELY RECEIVING THE TUBES WHEN SAID BELT IS LINEARLY DISPOSED AND TO CLOSE AROUND THE RESPECTIVE ONES OF THE TUBES WHEN SAID BELT IS WRAPPED AROUND THE CLUSTER.
 3. IN A GUN, A PLURALITY OF BARRELS MOUNTED AT THE BREECH ENDS TO A ROTARY MOUNT TO FORM A CIRCULAR CLUSTER, A CLAMP MOUNTABLE ON SAID BARRELS FROM THE SIDE CENTER OF SAID CLUSTER FOR RIGIDLY HOLDING SAID BARRELS AGAINST RELATIVE MOVEMENT DURING ROTATION OF SAID CLUSTER, SAID CLAMP INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF LINKS EQUAL TO THE NUMBER OF SAID BARRELS, EACH OF SAID LINKS BEING PROVIDED WITH A JAW HAVING A TANG AND A TAIL SECTION, MEANS FOR JOINING SAID LINKS TO FORM AN ARTICULATE BELT WRAPPABLE AROUND THE CLUSTER AND FOR JOINING THE TERMINAL ONES OF SAID LINKS IN SAID BELT TO COMPLETE SAID CLAMP, AND A PLURALITY OF VISES FORMED BY THE OPERATIONAL COOPERATION OF SAID TANG ON EACH OF SAID JAWS WITH SAID TAIL SECTION OF SAID JAW IN AN ADJACENT ONE OF SAID LINKS IN SAID BELT, SAID VISES BEING ARRANGED TO OPEN FOR RESPECTIVELY RECEIVING SAID BARRELS WHEN SAID BELT IS LINEARLY DISPOSED AND TO CLOSE AROUND THE RESPECTIVE ONES OF SAID BARRELS WHEN SAID BELT IS WRAPPED AROUND SAID CLUSTER TO COMPLETE SAID CLAMP. 